Save on textbook costs by renting

This is the time of year college students are rushing to the bookstore to grab those last textbooks they need for the fall.

In the past you had two options: New or used, if you were lucky. But today's students have some new ways to save.

An End to Sticker Shock?

Parents and students are hit with sticker shock every year, when it comes time to buy those $150 textbooks, that they'll need for only 3 months.

So the hottest trend for 2010 - 2011 is renting books, that often saves 50% or more.

There are a number of sites like chegg.com (CLICK HERE) where you can rent textbooks. Chegg started the trend 4 years ago, and has now rented 18 million texts.

But this fall many school bookstores are getting a piece of the pie, partnering up with rent a text.

Renting through your own bookstore is simple and quick, and you are guaranteed to get the correct edition for your class.

Xavier University student Mara Winters said "It works for me, it saves money, and I'll save money any way I can, because college is expensive."

Margaret Soe told me "if it's like English, or something you're really not gonna use later, renting, I think that works."

Cincinnati-area Schools Catch On

Locally, Xavier, Northern Kentucky University, and some schools at the University of Cincinnati have begun participating in the rent a text program.

Some downsides:

• Not all books are available for rent.
• And don't expect rock bottom prices: Expect to pay half the cover price of the book for a one semester rental.
• And before you rent a book, make sure its the current edition.
• Also, find out  what the penalties are if you are late, or if the book is damaged while you have it.

That way you don't waste your money.

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